Romanos 4

Augustine of Hippo · Comentário Patrístico (catena)

Romanos 4:2

Since Abraham without the law obtained glory not by the works of the law (as if he could fulfill the law in his own strength), since the law had not yet been given, the glory belongs to God, not to him. For he was justified not by his own merit, as if by works, but by the grace of God through faith. — AUGUSTINE ON ROMANS 20

Romanos 4:4

Paul was speaking here of the way wages are given. But God gave by grace, because he gave to sinners so that by faith they might live justly, that is, do good works. Thus the good works which we do after we have received grace are not to be attributed to us but rather to him who has justified us by his grace. For if God had wanted to give us our due reward, he would have given us the punishment due to sinners. — AUGUSTINE ON ROMANS 21

Romanos 4:5

God makes the ungodly man godly, in order that he might persevere in this godliness and righteousness. For a man is justified in order that he might be just, not so that he might think it is all right to go on sinning. — AUGUSTINE ON ROMANS 22

Romanos 4:5

The life of the soul is changeable. And when the soul lives in unrighteousness, that is its death; when again it becomes righteous, it becomes partaker of another life, which is not what itself is, inasmuch as by rising up to God, and cleaving to God, of Him it is justified. For it is said, "To him that believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." By forsaking God, it becomes unrighteous; by coming to Him, it is made righteous. — Tractates on John 19

Romanos 4:15

This applies to the second state of man, when he is under the law. — AUGUSTINE ON ROMANS 23

Romanos 4:15

Paul said this because God's wrath is more severe toward a transgressor who knows sin by the law and still commits it. — GRACE AND FREE WILL 10.22

Romanos 4:17

This means that faith is in the inner man, in the sight of God and not in human display, which is what the circumcision of the flesh is. — AUGUSTINE ON ROMANS 24

Romanos 4:17

Everything which God did not beget of himself but made through his Word he made not out of things which already existed but out of what did not exist at all, i.e., out of nothing. — THE NATURE OF THE GOOD 26

Romanos 4:20

Paul says that Abraham "gave glory to God" when he was attacking those who were seeking their own glory in the sight of men by doing the works of the law. — AUGUSTINE ON ROMANS 25

Romanos 4:21

God brings about the faith of the Gentiles, because he is able to perform what he has promised. If it is God who produces our faith, acting in a wondrous manner in our hearts so that we believe, surely we should not fear that he cannot do the entire work. — PREDESTINATION OF THE SAINTS 2.6